Brits Northwest Specialty Club

I've been raising Brits like my NDs, but the ABPRS website recommends using smaller cages, and things like solid-floored cages/living quarters for does and litters.  I haven't had any trouble with my first litter, but did supply extra hay for the cage floor, just in case. 

Do I need to worry about future litters?  In other words, is this litter unusual in being "normal" and not having problems with being raised on wire, in a very large cage (36" x 24" x 24")?

Thanks!

at 01:54PM on Dec 14, 2008

I've been raising Brits like my NDs, but the ABPRS website recommends using smaller cages, and things like solid-floored cages/living quarters for does and litters.  I haven't had any trouble with my first litter, but did supply extra hay for the cage floor, just in case. 

Do I need to worry about future litters?  In other words, is this litter unusual in being "normal" and not having problems with being raised on wire, in a very large cage (36" x 24" x 24")?

Thanks!

Hi Anne,

I have had issues with brits and them not using a nest box so I have 8 medium size dog kennels and I use them with no issues with the brits when they kindle.  Shavings on the bottoms and always give them a box but alot of times they dont have them in the box rather in the corner of the kennel.  I find it works wonderful. 

One of the reasons I find using the kennels is that baby brits are like popcorn and I have had them bounce out of the nestbox and then out thru the wire because of there size and then I loose them so using the kennels works like a charm for me. 

I found that using a regular cage is that there little legs being so fine boned is that they slip thru the wire and feel that on the flat bottom wood chips they can move around better and helps with starting the posing process yearlier in there development.

These are things I have noticed as raising these fun little creatures.

Would love to hear how others raise there brits!!!!

Carrie

Brits are very similar to Belgian Hares I have learned, as far as fine bone. Solid floors w/ hay/straw or Plastic Mats over the wire w/ hay/straw set down work well with both Brits and Hares, as well as Spots, Tans, and Rhinelanders. I haven't tried this w/ Checkers, only because I haven't owned one in over 15 years and used wood floors w/ hay/straw then. I also set the water bottles (lixit wide mouths) up higher than normal. It helps them to exercise, as well as getting used to posing. 10# coffee cans tied down to the cage around the middle w/ wire also work well with full arch breeds. A good way to recycle too. E-Z crocks are now my friends. I find my Brits and Hares can't through them around. Appox. 2 cups has been good, my Brits and Hares don't seem to eat more than that in a day. I quote a well known area Hare breeder "Judges like more than a overly fat Hare (or Brit)". I had a Black buck that hugged the top of the weight limit at shows last year and had to portion his feed so he wasn't pigging out. If he had extra food he ate it until it was gone. Palominos can get away with free feeding I find, but they are grow slower than New Zealands too. -- Molly